Porch light and number display



May 24, 938. v c. LORBETSKE I PORCH LIGHT AND NUMBER DISPLAY Filed May 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l m m e a M a M W.

Attorneys y 8- I c. LORBETSKE 2,118,469

PORCH LIGHT AND NUMBER DISPLAY Filed May 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flaj'ljorbe t5 Zi'e,

A iiorneys I Patented May 24, 1938 PORCH LIGHT AND NUMBER DISPLAY Carl Lorbetske, Seattle, Wash.

Application May 13, 1937, Serial No. 142,517

7 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an illuminated porch light, that is, an electric bulb equipped accessory in the nature of an attachment expressly designed to be attached to the ceiling of the porch at a point of vantage to conveniently display the identifying number of the residence.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a simply constructed device designed to aid pedestrians and others in locating a pare ticular residence by its street number.

In keeping with the primary requisites of simplicity and practicability, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a ceiling hanger or canopy functioning somewhat as a reflector, this being provided with depending end plates which features serve collectively to support a glass panel so made as to provide a holder fordetachable interchangeable identifying numerals.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a structure developed in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing how the device appears and how it is hung from a porch ceiling or the like.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device per se seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse or cross-sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal detail fragmentary section whichmay be said to be taken substantially on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figures 5 and 6 are fragmentary perspective views of features of the complete assembly.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the number unit or frame, and

Figure 8 is a perspective View of one of the end members of said unit or frame.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be observed that the main supporting or hanger plate is in the nature of a pyramidal canopy, this being denoted by the numeral 1. It is of general rectangular form and provided at its corner portions with integral L-shaped attaching members 8. These are properly constructed to facilitate attachment to porch ceilings or equivalent supports 9. The numerals Ill designate substantially triangular end plates, the horizontal flanges ll of which are bolted or otherwise fastened as at l2 to the under side of the ends of said plate I. The vertical flanges l3 serve as convenient sup-- ports for the number frame or unit M. This unit I4 is of general rectangular form and comprises a sheet metal, supporting frame I5 having 6 upper and lower edge channel members I5a and H51) in the rear thereof substantially rectangular in cross-section and longitudinally slotted as at I50 to accommodate the glass panel or lens I6. Sheet metal end members 55d of right angled 10 form in cross-section fit at their ends between the members l5a and l5b, as shown in Figure '7, behind the front of the frame 55. The front of said frame I5 is extended at the ends thereof beyond the members I511 to provide ornamental extensions H. The described unit M is secured to the flanges It by bolts l8 passing through bolt holes We and I5 in the ends of the frame l5 and the end members l5d, respectively, whereby the latter are clamped in position relative to the members l5a and i517. The ends of the lens I6 bear against the bolts l8, as shown in Figure 4, whereby said lens is held against endwise shifting.

The identification numerals which are assembled in groups are individually denoted by the reference numerals 89. They are of standardized proportions and each numeral has at its top a retention lug 20. This fits slidably up into a correspondingly shaped slot in the upper member |5a of the supporting frame l5. At its lower end each numeral is provided with a depending retention extension or complemental lug 2| having a projection 22 which may be described as a detent. The lug 2i fits into the main keeper seat 23 in the lower frame member I5b, while the detent is seated in the auxiliary keeper notch 24. By having the double notch features 23 and 24 in the lower frame member, and slipping the lugs 20 at the top up into slots provided therefor in the upper frame member, I provide convenient means for assembling the numbers to provide the collective residence identification. Hence, it will be seen that the identifying house numbers l9 are detachably supported in the frame It and rest against the outer surface of the transparent glass panel it. The panel 16 is illumihated on dark days or at night by an appropriate, horizontally elongated electric bulb 25 supported on one of the end plates in and disposed in parallelism with the inner or rear face of the panel.

In practice the lugs 20 on the identification numbers l9 are slipped up into the slots 25 and then allowed to drop down so that the detents 22 rest in the keeper slots or notches 24. This provides a convenient arrangement whereby the average house owner can purchase his own identification numbers and put them in place.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a suspension plate constituting a canopy and provided at its corner portions with hanger members, a pair of end plates attached to and depending at right angles from the end portions of said suspension plate, said end plates being provided with attaching flanges, a frame detachably bolted to said attaching flanges and disposed at right angles to the end plates and depending at right angles in relation to said suspension plate, a

glass plate supported in said frame, and an electric bulb supported on one of said end plates and disposed parallel to said glass plate.

2. In a device of the class described, a suspension plate constituting a canopy and provided at its corner portions with hanger members, a pair of end plates attached to and depending at right angles from the end portions of said suspension plate, said end plates being provided with attaching flanges, a frame detachably bolted to said attaching flanges and disposed at right angles to the end plates to depend at right angles from said suspension plate, a glass plate supported in said frame, number simulating members detachably secured in said frame along side said glass plate, and an electric bulb sup-ported on one of said end plates and disposed parallel to said glass plate.

CARL LORBETSKE. 

